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A tractor-trailer driver Michael Mrazik, 40, of Luzerne County, and his 53-year old passenger, Michael Horner from New York, were killed, police said.

An SUV driven by Joseph Cummings, 26, headed north on Route 72, crossed into the opposite lane and struck the tractor-trailer, which exploded and clipped a fence, according to witnesses. A cement truck slammed into the back of the tractor-trailer, police said.

Cummings is in critical condition and the cement truck driver was treated for minor injuries.

Route 72 was closed for hours following the crash.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the crash. They called it one of the worst they had ever seen.

"This is a horrific crash. You would expect something like this to happen on the interstate," said Sgt. Paul Gaspich.

Residents in the area said the scene of the crash is a bad stretch of road.